Providence Holds Off VMI 7-6
from press release
LEXINGTON, Va. – Despite a late VMI
rally, the Providence College Friars held on for a 7-6 win in MAAC
men’s lacrosse action Saturday at Foster Stadium in a contest
that was the MAAC opener for both schools.
Leading 5-4 after three quarters, the Friars scored with 9:37
remaining to take a 6-4 edge. VMI’s Brett Leonard answered
several minutes later, cutting the deficit to one, but Providence
scored the eventual game winner with 46 seconds left on the clock.
Colin Tigh, who had four goals on the day, fought through a double
team and found the back of the net, giving the visitors a 7-5
lead.
VMI’s Jacob Weimer scored with six seconds left on a turnover
in front of the goal, and the Keydets claimed the ensuing faceoff.
However, VMI could not get off a final shot, and Providence held on
for the thrilling 7-6 victory.
With the win, the Friars move to 1-4 and 1-0 in MAAC play, while
VMI drops to 1-6 and 0-1 in conference action. Tigh got Providence
on the board early, scoring in the third minute of action off an
assist from Bobby Labadini to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
However, VMI responded by controlling the majority of the first
quarter, notching goals from Weimer, Matt Piazza and Colin Bosse to
take a 3-1 lead after one quarter. The Keydets’ Chris Rossie
won 4-of-5 faceoffs in the opening period to help his team control
the tempo.
The second quarter was played at a slow pace, as the two teams
combined for just seven total shots. Labadini scored for Providence
with under a minute left to account for the halftime score, 3-2
VMI. All told, the Keydets had dominated the faceoff X during the
opening 30 minutes, winning six of seven contested.
The Friars struck early in the second half, as Tigh claimed the
opening faceoff and took the ensuing groundball. He then quickly
fired a shot past Keydet keeper Alex Benedick to tie the game, 3-3.
VMI responded at the 7:07 mark, when Tim Moran scored off a dish
from Leonard, putting the home team back in front, 4-3.
The Friars then scored the game’s next three goals in the
decisive run of the afternoon. Jackson Fallon struck just 40
seconds after Moran’s goal, tying the game at 4, and Labadini
added his second goal of the day at the four-minute mark, giving
Providence its first lead since the opening quarter. The visiting
squad held a 5-4 cushion after three periods, and Tigh scored with
9:37 to play to push the margin to 6-4, setting the stage for the
closing moments.
The Keydets were led by Weimer, who had two goals on the day, as
well as Leonard and Moran, who each had a goal and assist. VMI
keeper Benedick had four saves in his first collegiate start, while
Friars’ keeper Robert Bryan had eight stops. Providence was
led by Tigh’s four goals, while Labadini chipped in with two
scores and a trio of assists.
